The award-winning design of a north-Reno subdivision brought more than a plaque for its developer's office.
It became a key element of a successful sales strategy.
Tenaya Creek, a 110-home manufactured home subdivision developed by S&S LLC, was honored by the Manufactured Housing Institute as the best new manufactured home subdivision in the United States.
But before the national group took notice, S&S officials knew they had a hot product on their hands.
"We couldn't keep up with the demand," said Leo Poggione, managing general partner of S&S.
"In our first month, we had 18 accepted contracts."
In less than 20 months, the subdivision was sold out.
Poggione also is president of Craftman Homes, a Reno-based manufactured housing dealership that supplied the homes for the subdivision.
The subdivision's design overcomes a tough location.
Union Pacific tracks run along three sides of the neighborhood near the junction of Parr Boulevard and U.S.
395.
The design developed by Guerdon Enterprises of Boise, Idaho, sought to reduce the differences between the manufactured-housing subdivision and a traditional site-built subdivision.
Among the requirements established by Guerdon's designers were fullperimeter permanent foundations, architectural shingles, front porches, concrete walkways and steps and front-yard landscaping for each home.
"It created a cleaner community from the onset," Poggione said.
"When you do things that way, people take more pride in their homes."
Resale values have held up in the two-year-old community.
A home that originally sold for about $100,000, for instance, recently was listed at $164,000.
Poggione said the subdivision initially was developed to meet a need for affordable housing in the region.
Sales prices at Tenaya Creek began at about $100,000 for land and a home.
Homes in the subdivision range from 960 to 1,564 square feet.
The average, Poggione said, is about 1,300 square feet.
Chris Stinebart, president of the Manufactured Housing Institute, said the north-Reno subdivision demonstrates the potential of manufacturedhousing communities.
"We think this could be a model for the future for developers all across the country," he said.
"When a developer is able to think outside the box, this is the kind of result that can be had."
